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What the Christmas game indicates for the future...

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by ROXRAN, Dec 26, 2003.

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  1. ROXRAN

    ROXRAN Member

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    ...At least for the rest of the season...I think this game was more than a stark turnaround regarding our offense. I think the very enjoyable game this past Christmas is a litmus trial for our offense to employ and have success with...Of course every team has different styles, but when you have success against a near-full Hall of Fame team, you gotta take note...

    #1...The Rockets look smooth utilizing the high pick and roll, I loved it, because they ran it the right way...using the centers, and power forwards...btw, using Yao makes sense because of the transition capability he has with regard to adept passing and also 12 to 15 shooting grasp...They ran it often and often...and this impressed me, because I was afraid they would get away from the P&R and do the dribble/iso combo....but I saw none of that...and you saw the effectiveness...and results: and I am not talking putting the basket in per se, but I saw more spacing than any game I remember this season, I saw crisper passing because of the spacing...It was fun to watch and we should continue this trend starting tonight...

    #2...Mo Tay is good enough! Get off him! He showed me a lot of improvement in key rebounding...maybe he doesn't get a bunch, but I have seen him doing this for several games now, and yesterday's game against the Lakers was a shining example of how his defense can be examined as worthy of being good enough...and good enough is good enough...His offense already captivates me, so the perceived improvement is key to the rest of the season...

    #3...Yao shows a lot, but only when he is fresh...Will that ever change? This makes the improved Cato key to playoff hopes...When all is said and done the combo head of Cato/Taylor in my opinion will make or break playoff hopes...so far I like what I see from them...

    #4...Francis is steadily showing himself to be a leader...It's hard to finger and point to definite attributes, but he seems to be much more mature and focused, rather than playing like a kid that we have seen in year's past...in other words, he exudes being serious and this is also important to getting in gear with Van Gundy's philosophy about the tactics and strategy of getting the Rockets where they need to be...plus, his defense, the team's defense is becoming more than awesome...
     
    #1 ROXRAN, Dec 26, 2003
  2. Sishir Chang

    Sishir Chang Member

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    I was thinking the same thing too about if this game means the Rox have turned a corner for the season.

    Totally agree about Cato and Taylor's play and it being key to our success. I thought Doc Rivers made a good point when he said Cato was the Rox MVP for his tough play down low. I think a good mix of having Taylor to heat up the offense and then bringing in Cato to shut things down at the end of games looks like a formula that can work.
     
    #2 Sishir Chang, Dec 26, 2003
  3. DanzelKun

    DanzelKun Member

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    Didn't this exact same thing happen last year? We came up with a HUGE win against the Lakers... and then followed it up with an incredibly horrible losing streak... I coudl swear I remember that Lakers game being a high point, and going down hill from there.... I'm scared.... :(
     
    #3 DanzelKun, Dec 26, 2003
  4. Charvo

    Charvo Member

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    I think there is a difference in the psychology of the team going into the big win against the Lakers last year and this year. I think the team was much more confident in their ability and Rudy T. I think this instance had the Rockets reeling going into the game with many players doubting the coach. This is more like a big surge off a bottom. Last year's win was like a blowoff top.
     
    #4 Charvo, Dec 26, 2003
  5. Sishir Chang

    Sishir Chang Member

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    With the Rox you always have a reason to be scared.. But I think last night's win was a different than last year's. Last year's was a close win on our own floor and really could've gone either way. This year the Rox controlled things almost the whole game and stuck together as a team particularly on D on the opponents floor. Also this year the Rox beat a much better Lakers team. Last year might've been the Rox peaking under Rudy but this year this might be the Rox finally buying into JVG's game and coming together as a team.

    I hope.
     
    #5 Sishir Chang, Dec 26, 2003
  6. annthuyn

    annthuyn Member

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    *off topic*
    you happen to be related to timmy chang, Sishir Chang? because he sure is a cutie :p
     
    #6 annthuyn, Dec 26, 2003
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